Best Restaurants, Shops, and Things to Do in Buckingham

Buckingham Township packs a remarkable amount of life into its countryside: a legendary village of shops and restaurants at Lahaska, a thriving shopping corridor on Route 202, one of Pennsylvania's first wineries, and regional parks minutes away. This guide rounds up the best places to eat, shop, and play in and around Buckingham, with real local spots you can visit today.

Peddler's Village: The Heart of the Social Scene

Peddler's Village sits at Routes 202 and 263 in Lahaska, inside Buckingham Township. The family-owned village blends 42 acres of colonial-style architecture, dozens of specialty shops, restaurants, the Golden Plough Inn, and a packed event calendar. It is the first place locals send visitors and the default answer to "what should we do this weekend?" Its dining lineup is the township's finest:

The Cock 'n Bull Restaurant. The village's grande dame, serving traditional American classics with a touch of drama, including its well-loved dinner theater productions. A Buckingham institution for generations.

Buttonwood Grill. A relaxed favorite with burgers, salads, and stone-fired pizzas, plus a popular tavern. An easy stop for families and a reliably good weeknight dinner.

Earl's New American. Contemporary farm-to-table American cooking with a seasonal menu and craft cocktails, ideal for date night. Reservations are worth making in advance.

Hart's Tavern. Casual lunch and dinner in a warm tavern setting, known for pub classics and a friendly local crowd.

Round out the village with breakfast or lunch at FresCafe Food Company and Peddler's Pub for seasonal pub fare, then wander the shops, which range from home decor and gourmet food to toys and boutique fashion. See the full lineup on the Peddler's Village dining page.

More Dining Around Buckingham and Lahaska

Beyond the village, the township and its neighbors serve up an impressive range:

The Inn at Barley Sheaf Farm. A historic farmhouse inn in nearby Holicong, just outside the village, known for farm-to-table fine dining and Sunday brunch. It is one of the most romantic spots in central Bucks County.

Porterhouse Restaurant & Pub. A Lahaska favorite on Lower York Road with wood-fired cooking, generous portions, and a lively bar, beloved by locals for steaks and pub classics.

Caleb's American Kitchen. Breakfast-to-dinner American comfort food on Route 202 in Lahaska, with big pancakes, hearty sandwiches, and a family-friendly buzz all day.

Villaggio. Contemporary Italian on York Road in Lahaska, from handmade pastas to wood-fired favorites, with a warm dining room and bar.

Pizza Village. The dependable neighborhood pizza and takeout spot in Lahaska, perfect for game nights and quick dinners.

When you want a change of scene, Doylestown Borough, about ten minutes north, and Newtown to the south add dozens more restaurants worth the short drive.

Shopping in Buckingham and Beyond

Buckingham Green. The township's own shopping destination at York Road and Route 413, with upscale shops, services, and restaurants in an attractive village-style setting. Everything from groceries and wine to gifts and personal care is minutes from home.

Peddler's Village shops. More than 40 specialty shops stock artisan goods, home furnishings, gourmet foods, toys, and seasonal decor, many tied to the village's festival calendar. It is the region's favorite place for gift shopping.

Doylestown Borough. The county seat's walkable main street delivers boutiques, bookstores, galleries, and the Mercer Museum and Fonthill Castle for a full day out. It is about ten minutes from Buckingham and worth an afternoon.

New Hope. Twenty minutes east on Route 263 and 32, the riverside arts town offers galleries, antique shops, and river views, an easy day trip on weekends.

Wineries and the Countryside

Buckingham Valley Vineyards & Winery, on Durham Road since 1966, is Bucks County's first winery and one of Pennsylvania's earliest. The family-run operation pours estate-grown reds, whites, rosés, and fruit wines in a rustic tasting room, with events through the year. It is a beloved local stop and a quintessential slice of Buckingham identity.

The township's horse farms and preserved farmland also make for beautiful Sunday drives, and farm stands along York Road and Route 413 offer seasonal produce in summer and fall.

Outdoor Things to Do

When the weather cooperates, Buckingham's outdoor scene shines. Tyler State Park, minutes south, offers more than 23 miles of trails, a swimming pool, picnicking, and disc golf along Neshaminy Creek. Peace Valley Park near Doylestown adds Lake Galena for boating and fishing. Closer to home, Buckingham Township Parks keep Holicong Park's paved trails, Hansell Park's pond, and George M. Bush Park's fields in daily use by families.

Seasonal Events and Festivals

Peddler's Village anchors the township's event calendar: the Apple Festival in the fall, the Gingerbread House Competition and giant holiday light display in winter, and spring and summer festivals that bring food, live music, and family activities to the green. Add Buckingham Township's own summer concerts, farmers market season, and holiday events, and there is rarely a quiet weekend in central Bucks.

Coffee, Bakeries, and Quick Bites

Every town needs its everyday stops, and Buckingham has them. FresCafe Food Company at Peddler's Village handles breakfast and lunch with a reliable coffee counter, and the village bakeries keep the weekend pastry tradition alive. Along York Road, Lahaska's casual spots cover the rest: Caleb's American Kitchen for big breakfasts and family dinners, Pizza Village for takeout pizza on busy nights, and Buttonwood Grill's tavern for a quick burger after a day at the parks. Coffee before the school run, lunch after a trail walk, and dinner without a reservation, it all exists within a ten-minute drive, which is exactly the balance of quiet and convenience that defines Buckingham living.

Plan a Weekend: A Sample Buckingham Itinerary

Saturday: coffee at Peddler's Village, a long walk or bike ride on the paved trails at Holicong Park, lunch at Porterhouse, then an afternoon browsing Buckingham Green and the village shops. Dinner at Earl's New American or the Cock 'n Bull, followed by a stroll through the evening lights. Sunday: brunch at The Inn at Barley Sheaf Farm in Holicong, an afternoon tasting at Buckingham Valley Vineyards, and a sunset drive through the countryside on Durham Road. When the seasons turn, swap in the Apple Festival, the holiday light display, or a summer concert at Hansell Park. That is a typical Buckingham weekend, and it explains why so many visitors end up moving here.

Family-Friendly Dining

Dining out with kids in Buckingham is refreshingly low-stress. Buttonwood Grill's tavern seats families early and its pizzas please every age. Caleb's American Kitchen is a weekend brunch favorite with a menu built for the whole table. Hart's Tavern keeps things casual for a weeknight dinner without reservations, and Pizza Village handles the takeout rotation. For birthdays and celebrations, the Cock 'n Bull's dinner theater turns a meal into an event. Even the upscale end of the lineup is family-aware: Earl's New American and The Inn at Barley Sheaf Farm welcome families for earlier seatings on special occasions. In other words, parents do not have to choose between date-night quality and kid-friendly ease, they can have both within ten minutes of home.

A Realistic Buckingham Date Night

Plan a date night here and it writes itself. Start with an early glass at Buckingham Valley Vineyards, where the tasting room's country charm sets the mood. Move to dinner at Earl's New American for contemporary, farm-to-table cooking, or go traditional at the Cock 'n Bull with its dinner theater. End the evening with a stroll through Peddler's Village, where the walkways are lit and the shops dress their windows by season. Prefer casual? Swap in Hart's Tavern or Buttonwood Grill's tavern and a walk around Holicong Park at dusk. Buckingham tends to surprise newcomers with how good the evenings are, which is why couples relocating here report that date night got easier, not harder, after the move.

Common Questions About Things to Do in Buckingham

What are the best restaurants in Buckingham?

The Cock 'n Bull and Buttonwood Grill at Peddler's Village lead the list, joined by Earl's New American, Hart's Tavern, The Inn at Barley Sheaf Farm, Porterhouse, Caleb's American Kitchen, and Villaggio.

Where do locals shop in Buckingham?

Buckingham Green on Route 202 is the everyday shopping hub, Peddler's Village covers gifts and boutique shopping, and Doylestown Borough and Newtown add more options minutes away.

Is there a winery in Buckingham?

Yes. Buckingham Valley Vineyards & Winery, founded in 1966 as Bucks County's first winery, offers tastings of estate-grown wines on Durham Road.

What is there to do outdoors in Buckingham?

Walk or bike the trails at Holicong Park and Tyler State Park, fish or boat on Lake Galena at Peace Valley Park, and explore the township's three parks for sports, playgrounds, and picnics.

What events happen in Buckingham throughout the year?

Peddler's Village hosts the Apple Festival, Gingerbread House Competition, holiday lights, and seasonal festivals, while township recreation adds summer concerts and family programming.